Gain an understanding of Mexico's culinary traditions complete with tastings of local specialties and shopping opportunities

Led by a food expert or local insider

Jamaica Market

Tour Description

Longstanding cornerstone of local food and shopping culture, the Mexican market is a must-see when visiting Mexico City. During this 3-hour Jamaica Market Tour, led by a local insider or food expert, we'll dive inside the market as we feast both our eyes and stomachs, developing a deeper appreciation for the wide range of textures, colors, and flavors present in Mexican culture and cuisine.

[Our expert guide] and this market walk were deeply interesting and engaging. It's a rare chance to see Mexican culture behind-the-scenes.

Mexico City Jamaica Market Tour

Our Mexico City market tour will take place at Mercado Jamaica, one of the most historic and popular markets in the city. Originally a trading post for the Aztecs and established in the 1950s in its current form, the market has a rich history as a prime location on an ancient canal pathway. Our expert guide will begin by talking about the historic and current day importance of the marketplace for Mexican people. We will then dive into the heart of market to talk about—and sample—a number of fresh ingredients on offer, from moles to tortilla dough and pozole corn.

A Floral Journey

What makes Jamaica Market unique is its abundance of cut flowers and arrangements. It’s the go-to wholesale flower market for the city, and especially important during Dia de los Muertos celebrations in early November. Our expert will talk about the significance of local festivals and funeral rites which relate to the floral theme at the market.

Explore Like a Local

Our expert guide will facilitate discussions with local vendors who have served the culinary needs of Mexico City for decades and enjoy sharing their story. We will also discuss the changing face of neighborhood markets, which goes along with changing shopping habits of locals. Along the way, we will sample a range of Mexican produce, much of it unknown outside of the country, to examine how these products fit into Mexican culinary traditions.

Time and belly-space permitting, we may end our exploration in a nearby food establishment to taste a prepared dish such as a huarache, an open-faced taco shaped like a shoe, or carnitas to culminate the discussion.

Want a full tour of Mexico's prepared dishes? Try our Roma Food Tour, which explores the past, present and future of Mexican cuisine.

Take Aways

At the end of the walk, we will have gained a better understanding of the crucial role markets play in shaping local identity, while leaving with a fuller belly and florally-feasted eyes.

FAQ

Are tastings included?

Yes, along the walk you will taste a variety of spices, ingredients and produce. There is a small tasting fee of 200MXN that will be added per person during checkout so that your guide will take care of all money transactions during the tour (and you can enjoy to the fullest!).

I have dietary requests. How do I communicate them?

Please let us know in advance (in the notes section during checkout or by emailing us) any dietary requirements so your guide can plan accordingly.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Raquel

Raquel Del Castillo has been a food journalist since 2000, writing for publications such as Forbes online, Munchies (Vice Mexico), chilango.com, and the national newspaper Milenio. She studied culinary arts and Communication at university and now mixes this knowledge of cooking and writing in her everyday work. She loves teaching recipes and leading tours to the local markets of Mexico City. She thinks that the best way to know the flavors of Mexico is to walk through these public places and go to the restaurants to see how chefs prepare the ingredients for the numerous traditional Mexican recipes.

Cristina

Cristina Potters is the author of Mexico Cooks, the preeminent English-language website about Mexico’s cuisines and cultures. She began learning the regional cooking of Mexico nearly 40 years ago from extraordinarily accomplished home cooks from across the country. Cited in print and online as the go-to Spanish and English-speaking expert in Mexico’s regional foods, she has mastered many of the intricacies of traditional central Mexican ingredients, recipes, and food history. It’s a continuing pleasure for Cristina to work as a Context food market expert in Mexico City. Touring the city's colorful, chaotic, and exciting markets with her, visitors will gain fascinating insights into Mexico’s foods, including their cultural context and history. You will taste delicious treats little-known outside Mexico, and experience sights and sounds that will live in your memory and provide a lifetime of stories. Cristina looks forward to giving visitors a taste of some of Mexico’s best and most eye-popping culinary experiences.

Elizabeth

Liz is a Chicago native who has been living and working in Mexico City for the past 9 years. Growing up in a family with an intense passion for food, Liz felt immediately at home in México, and fell in love with its cuisine. She studied Mexican food rituals and culture at the School of Anthropology and History in Mexico City and is currently brushing up on her Mexican history as she studies to become a certified tour guide. In addition to her studies, Liz has built her knowledge of Mexican food through her endless search for delicious food stands, discussions with local Mexican cooks, and her passion for replicating recipes in her home kitchen. She also documents her adventures with Mexican cuisine on her food blog and works on food mapping projects within Mexico City.

21 Reviews
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(4.92)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our
FAQ.

Raquel was an outstanding tour guide. She captured our attention immediately. The market seemed to be off the beaten path but once inside we understood why she had chosen it.
Her knowledge and understanding of spices and how they are used in Mexican cooking was outstanding. The vendors we visited awere all very welcoming to us.
When the tour was finished she helped us get an Uber to retake us back to our hotel. A very worthwhile tour.

Herbert

Apr. 22, 2019

Liz was just amazing. Her knowledge and passion for food and the culture is outstanding. We had a wonderful time and feel like we really gained a good perspective on Mexico City, its food and its markets.

Owen

Apr. 8, 2019

This was an excellent tour of the Jamaica market in Mexico City. Elizabeth is an excellent and knowledgeable guide. She introduced us to many interesting foods, and added valuable information about the origins of certain traditional foods and ingredients. I would recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in food and food markets.